'South Park': 15 shocking moments

Caption'South Park'

Comedy Central

In 15 seasons on the air (the 16th season began Wednesday), Trey Parker and Matt Stone have found a way to skewer just about every race, religion, interest group and orifice. They've taken on sacred cows and wallowed in cheap laughs. Surprisingly, a lot of times the groups involved weren't...

In 15 seasons on the air (the 16th season began Wednesday), Trey Parker and Matt Stone have found a way to skewer just about every race, religion, interest group and orifice. They've taken on sacred cows and wallowed in cheap laughs. Surprisingly, a lot of times the groups involved weren't... (Comedy Central)

Air date: Nov. 16, 2005 The shock: It's heavily implied that actor Tom Cruise is a closeted gay man by having him hide in a closet while the characters constantly call: "Come out of the closet." The reaction: Cruise was reportedly unhappy with the episode, and when a rebroadcast was pulled from...

Air date: Nov. 16, 2005 The shock: It's heavily implied that actor Tom Cruise is a closeted gay man by having him hide in a closet while the characters constantly call: "Come out of the closet." The reaction: Cruise was reportedly unhappy with the episode, and when a rebroadcast was pulled from... (Comedy Central)

Air date: March 19, 2008 The shock: A distraught Britney Spears, fed up with the circus of her life, attempts suicide. Even though she blows off the top of her head with a shotgun, she survives and has to continue performing, to continued criticism and catty comments. The reaction: None. The...

Air date: March 19, 2008 The shock: A distraught Britney Spears, fed up with the circus of her life, attempts suicide. Even though she blows off the top of her head with a shotgun, she survives and has to continue performing, to continued criticism and catty comments. The reaction: None. The... (Comedy Central)

Air dates: April 5 and April 12, 2006 The shock: The people of the U.S. are left fearing for their lives after "Family Guy" announces it will show the prophet Muhammad, an act considered blasphemous by the Islamic faith. Due to pressure from the network, the climax of the two-part episode was...

Air dates: April 5 and April 12, 2006 The shock: The people of the U.S. are left fearing for their lives after "Family Guy" announces it will show the prophet Muhammad, an act considered blasphemous by the Islamic faith. Due to pressure from the network, the climax of the two-part episode was... (Comedy Central)

Air date: March 22, 2006 The shock: After actor Isaac Hayes left the show because of the series' criticism of Scientology in the "Trapped in the Closet" episode, his character was written out by having him join a cult called Super Adventure Club that has beliefs very similar to those of...

Air date: March 22, 2006 The shock: After actor Isaac Hayes left the show because of the series' criticism of Scientology in the "Trapped in the Closet" episode, his character was written out by having him join a cult called Super Adventure Club that has beliefs very similar to those of... (Comedy Central)